By Matthew Yates Cayman Islands Government

Businesses in the Cayman Islands have a chance to garner fresh praise.

The Department of Commerce and Investments (DCI) is seeking applications for the 2015 Caribbean Exporter of the Year awards. Organised by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CAIPA), the awards are intended to encourage Caribbean countries to export their goods.

DCI Director Ryan Rajkumarsingh said that Cayman’s commerce sector can benefit from regional recognition.

‘Entering this competition allows local companies to get regional recognition amongst peers’, he said. ‘It also creates opportunities to promote and showcase local products and services to new markets’.

There are six accolades up for grabs, representing various types of exporters. The Emerging Exporter of the Year recognises a company that has exported within the last three years. The Young Exporter of the Year honours a company whose principal shareholder is 35 years or younger. The Female Exporter of the Year recognises a company whose principal shareholder is female.

Green Exporter of the Year highlights a company that has invested in green technologies and integrated alternative and/or renewable energy solutions into its operations. Caribbean Exporter of the Year showcases a Caribbean firm that epitomises CAIPA’s guiding philosophy of ‘Taking Caribbean Excellence to the World’. A Special Award for Excellence in Services Exports highlights an outstanding firm.

Local companies can be nominated in more than one category. The application deadline is 27 February and application forms can be found on CAIPA’s website at http://www.carib-export.com/export-promotion/ceya/?utm_source=Caribbean+Export+List&utm_campaign=c173b4400d-CEYA2015_&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9e96a5189f-c173b4400d-91111665.
Forms should be submitted to DCI Business Services Officer Thais Ducent at [email protected].